Mixed trend in China's luxury fibres; cashmere dips but down fibre up

Luxury fibre prices in China (FOB) have indicated an upward trend in recent quarters after an initial decline. However, the overall trend remained mixed across various types of luxury fibres. 

In 2023, Cashmere fibre, which is the animal hair of the Kashmir goat, experienced a downward trend as its prices decreased by 6.88 per cent. However, down fibre from white ducks and white geese was traded higher last year. Down fibre from white ducks increased to $60.45 per kg from $57.03 per kg in the first quarter of 2023. Down fibre from white geese also rose from $109.82 to $129.15 per kg. 

Cashmere fibre was traded in China at an average price of $118.36 per kg (FOB) during the January-March 2023 period. This price experienced a modest increase of 0.62 per cent, rising to $119.09 per kg in the subsequent quarter. However, in the July-September 2023 quarter, there was a slight decline in prices by 1.41 per cent, bringing it down to $117.41 per kg. Further easing was observed in the final quarter of the year, with prices dropping by 6.13 per cent to $110.21 per kg, according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro. 

The down fibre from white ducks, priced at $57.03 per kg (FOB) in January-March 2023, witnessed a 2.24 per cent increase, reaching $58.31 per kg in the April-June 2023 quarter in China. However, this upward trend was reversed in the subsequent quarter, with prices declining by 5.61 per cent to $55.04 per kg. A rebound occurred in the final quarter of the previous year, with a 4.49 per cent rise to $57.51 per kg. This premium fibre continued its upward trajectory, gaining an additional 5.11 per cent to reach $60.45 per kg in January 2023, according to data from TexPro. 

As for the down fibre from white geese, it was valued at $109.82 per kg (FOB) in the first quarter of 2023. This price saw a significant rise of 5.52 per cent, reaching $115.88 per kg in the April-June 2023 quarter. However, there was a minor price correction in the following quarter, with a decrease of 1.31 per cent to $114.36 per kg. The market then experienced a positive shift, as the price increased by 2.97 per cent to $117.76 per kg in the final quarter of the year. This upward momentum continued, with the fibre achieving a substantial gain of 9.67 per cent, culminating in a price of $129.15 per kg this month. 

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)